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On April 8, 2019, Willie Raphael Matthewson, Jr. left family and friends to take residence in a new home. Affectionately known, as “Ray” and “Tug”, he was born to the late Willie Raphael Matthewson, Sr. and Cordelia Watkins Matthewson in Tarboro, NC on September 22, 1940. Ray was educated in the public schools of Tarboro, NC and graduated from Patilla High School. After enrolling in Winston-Salem Teachers College (now Winston-Salem State University) in 1962, he enlisted in the US Army in 1965 and served two years in the Korean Conflict as a military police. Following his Honorable discharge, he returned to Winston-Salem State University and received a B.S. degree in Elementary Education in 1971. After graduation, he pursued further education and certifications from Wilkes Community College, Wayne Community College and an automotive dealership as a certified Volkswagen mechanic. Ray’s employment included working at RJ Reynolds Tobacco in Winston-Salem, Flow Motors as a certified mechanic, an elementary school as a teacher and group homes as a counselor. Most recently, he was self-employed as an entrepreneur. As an avid explorer and lifelong learner, he was a brilliant character, having a strong passion for people, dogs, cars and reading. Ray was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Ava “Yadie” Matthewson Bryant. Ray is survived by three daughters, Minnie Ruth Bullock (David) of Tarboro, NC, Kimberly Broadnax (Lewis) and J. Denise Matthewson (Lamont Witherspoon) all of Durham, NC; sons, Darryl Earl Evans of Tustin, CA and Willie R. Matthewson, III of Bellevue, WA; brothers, H. Brent Matthewson, Sr. of Baltimore, MD, Kenneth E. Matthewson (Patricia) of Vacaville, CA; and sisters, Glenn Esther Cherry of Tarboro, Amy L. Matthewson of Oakland, CA, Tammy Johnson Collier of Durham, NC and Kristie Bryant of CA; nine grandchildren, Calandra Evans, Saquan Williams, Lewis Broadnax, IV, Jenna Broadnax, Christopher McMillian, Justin Matthewson Witherspoon, Keir Witherspoon, Joshua Witherspoon, and Nathaniel Raphael Matthewson; seven great-grandchildren; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The service will be officiated by Pastor James L. Brown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the: Military Missions in Action (a veteran support non-profit agency), https://www.militarymissionsinaction.org/ and the Edgecombe Rescue EMS, https://www.edgecomberescue.org/.

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Mr. Willie R. Matthewson, Jr.

September 22, 1940 - April 8, 2019